Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 kicks off in Dhaka

The Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 officially began today (7 April) in Dhaka, aiming to spotlight the country’s evolving investment climate and attract global investors.

The four-day event is being jointly organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA). It comes at a pivotal time, as the interim government works to rebuild investor trust following the political transition on 5 August and the resulting industrial unrest.
To draw foreign direct investment (FDI), the summit is presenting Bangladesh’s competitive advantages and economic potential to the international business community.
This year’s summit emphasizes five key sectors poised for expansion: renewable energy, the digital economy, textiles and apparel, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and agro-processing.
The official inauguration ceremony is scheduled for 9 April, with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, along with diplomats, industry leaders, and policymakers, expected to attend.
Kicking off the event, Bangladesh Startup Connect 2025 was launched today as a headline segment. The Startup Expo, held at the Hotel InterContinental, has attracted investors, founders, and ecosystem enablers eager to explore the country’s growing startup ecosystem.
During the “Startup Connect” session, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur announced plans for a dedicated Tk1,000 crore fund aimed at supporting new entrepreneurs. "This fund will exclusively finance startup ventures," he stated, noting that a formal circular would be issued soon.
The session, titled "Empowering Innovation, Connecting Opportunity", featured dynamic participation from innovative entrepreneurs both local and international. In his keynote address, Tanvir Ali, a Canada-based Bangladeshi entrepreneur, emphasized the untapped potential of Bangladesh’s youth and the need for increased investment in startups, particularly compared to similar economies.
A virtual message from LinkedIn’s co-founder was also shared during the session, which included contributions from the BIDA chairman, the Bangladesh Bank governor, and other ICT leaders.
Present at the opening ceremony were Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of BIDA and BEZA, and Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, economic adviser to the government.
In a pre-summit press briefing on 6 April, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun underscored the importance of clarity for foreign investors. “This summit will not only present investment opportunities but also shed light on key reforms that make Bangladesh a more attractive destination for business,” he said.
Over 550 investors from 50 countries have signed up for the summit, with the highest representation—about 100 delegates—coming from China. As part of the program, more than 60 international investors will visit one Export Processing Zone and two Economic Zones.
Leading participating countries include China, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Singapore, and Japan.
A highlight of the summit on 9 April will be a live demonstration of Starlink’s internet services. Additionally, Bangladesh is expected to ink a non-military space exploration agreement with NASA, according to Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud.
The event will also honor five outstanding entrepreneurs—both domestic and international—for their contributions to the investment landscape.